Bowden “Death Watch”

By fitsnews • on October 11, 2008

Just call it “Tigertown Confidential.”

In a dramatic, rumor-filled day in Clempsun, S.C., sources tell FITSNews that embattled head football coach Tommy Bowden could be out of a job come Monday.

“Bowden gone,” blared one text message we received from a source close to the Clempsun Board of Trustees, “will be public Monday.”

Clemson officials wouldn’t confirm or deny that report, but multiple sources have told us that Bowden’s big press conference yesterday to announce the benching of starting quarterback Cullen Harper was a last-ditch effort to build fan support, deflect attention away from the noose around his own neck and project the image that he was still in control of his football team.

That may have backfired, however, as Clempsun players were outraged to discover that Bowden publicly announced the decision to bench Harper before telling his quarterback, a big “no-no” in the coaching business.

“Friends that were with Harper say that Tommy was calling his phone nonstop after the announcement and that Cullen ignored him,” reads another Tigertown text we received yesterday. “The players are with Cullen. They are pissed (Bowden) is trying to put the blame on them.”

Another source at Clempsun tells us that Bowden’s $4 million buyout is the only thing keeping him in a job, adding “he’d have been fired two weeks ago after Maryland if it wasn’t for that.”

Stay tuned … there’s a “death watch” on up in Farmertown …

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Comments

By Scene SC on October 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am

I hope he doesn’t get fired. It is fun to watch Clemson underachieve every year. Then again he kind of has the Gamecocks number or that might have just been Charlie Whitehurst…

By hmmmm on October 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am

I love how everyone has “sources” and they all say different things. But hell, I hope they keep him, as a Gamecock it’s the best for the program. I mean seriously, are you really going to pony up 4mil to a guy to get rid of him b/c he’s only averaging winning 80% of his games? Clemson fans need to realize that 1981 was a mythical title with bought players (for which later they went on probation) and that once FSU joined the ACC, they would always be 2nd tier.So Clemsons fans…you should really be more realistic of your expectations. As much hype as your team rec’d, your QB is average, your “D” is average, you have no gamebreaker receivers, your O-Line is very young, and Spiller is your only real “star”.Did ya’ll really believe the hype you were that good? You’re average right where you should be. I just hope that fans don’t control the outcome of a coach, b/c for years I threatened to stop giving to USC, but guess what…still giving and paying the increases.

By hohmmmmmmmmm on October 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

yeah, Clemson’s average. What does that make USC? Being that you’re Clemson’s b*tch and all.

By Bluedog on October 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

“hmmmmm” You talk about Clemson fans expectations are unrealistic? Are you kiding me? Is competing for an ACC title within 10 years too much to ask for? It is a good thing gamecocks are not realistic!?! Ever since Holtz and Spurrier, all I have heard is they will competer for the SEC East every year.

By James on October 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

Clempsun football and Gamecock football are both mired in minimally adequate programs.

Some folks think the respective school’s fan bases are to be commended in light of the mediocre product on the field….i’m thinking of a word that ryhmes with pucker.

Y’all do realize don’t you: stop bending over and grabbing your ankles while you wallet is emptied and you might send a more effective message to the inner sanctum of the money hungry athletic director?

By e on October 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am

Bowden being fired would be great for USC, he has killed us in recruiting in-state and beyond the last several years. He has the recruiting machine in place. IF he gets canned, USC needs to pick up one or two of his assistants, Rumph and Blackwell maybe, to help us gets his recruiting base turned our way. And IF Fulmer gets canned at UT, we could move into the UT recruiting territory also. Only hitch in this is that Butch Davis is doing a heck of a job building UNC up and that is going to be competing with us for some of these recruiting areas. But I disagree with anyone who says we’re better off with Bowden up there. Truth is, beating us regularly has consistently saved his job. My guess is he may face that prospect again this year. I don’t see him being fired before then. I think their AD is above that.

By Kyle M on October 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

I hope they fire bowden seeing as how he has owned usc since he came into clemson. Clearly they are above us in facilities and recruiting and talent. The OBC still has some fire in him, too bad it is his hemorroids that seem to light him up the most. I am also glad to see my boyfriend take over the starting position, I loves me some dirty mexican. I just hate he cut his mullet off.:(…
kylemat68

By Stroker Ace on October 12th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

Hey there Bluedog, I believe that HMMM! has a point. I mean CU hasn’t competed for an ACC title since 1991…so 17 years later (27 for the paid for championship) and all they have a are some positive win seasons and some bowls. Clemson fans just need to realize that CU football is just average most years in a conference that in most years is inferior. Just do like us USC fans and realize that it’s a social event featuting a football game and you’ll sleep easier. BTW, the QB change really won’t help - predict losses to USC, Ga Tech, and FSU….

By Brian Dawkins on October 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am

******************BREAKING NEWS******************!!!

USC STILL SUCKS!!

No matter how bad of a season Clemson may be having, they will always OWN the Lamecocks!! It doesn’t matter who the coach is… that last game on the schedule is a “W” year in and year out!!!

By male sapphist on October 13th, 2008 at 8:44 am

Has anyone established the location of his wife and kids? Only someone being blackmailed with imminent threat to their family members would allow his team to play sooooo poorly.

I remember when Ken Hatfield got sacked… He, a good man with a winning record, could not live up to the prince Danny Ford and when IPTAY receipts dropped to the level of the Shamecock Boosters Mr. Hatfield had to go and so he went.

I have neither a messianic view of presidential candidates nor college football coaches. Obama, Bowden, Spurrier, FUUSC-Holtz and others are just men. In a system you need to be able to change the system to make progress… the AD and BOTrustees meddling hands have, probably, more to do with the success of a college football program than the actual coach but those people make poor paschal lambs…coaches are 1 000 000 a dozen and sacrificial at best.